Comparative Effects of Solanum lycopersicum Varieties (Roba and Siriya) on Body Weight, Fasting Blood Sugar and Lipid Profile in Albino Rats Fed with a High-fat Diet

Abstract

This study investigated the comparative effects of two varieties of Solanum lycopersicum (Roba and Siriya) on body weight, fasting blood glucose, and lipid profile in albino rats fed a high-fat diet (HFD). Twenty-five male rats were divided into five groups: normal control, HFD control, HFD plus the standard drug lovastatin, HFD + Roba (200 mg/kg), and HFD + Siriya (200 mg/kg). Obesity and metabolic disorders were induced using a high-fat diet for six weeks, followed by four weeks of treatment. Body weight, fasting blood glucose, and lipid profile parameters (total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-C, and LDL-C) were assessed using standard biochemical methods. The results showed that HFD significantly increased body weight, fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL-C while reducing HDL-C compared with the normal control group. Treatment with both tomato varieties significantly reversed these alterations. Roba exhibited stronger effects in reducing body weight and fasting blood glucose, whereas Siriya showed slightly greater improvements in triglyceride and LDL-C levels. Both varieties improved HDL-C levels compared with the HFD group. The findings demonstrate that both Roba and Siriya varieties of Solanum lycopersicum possess significant anti-obesity, antihyperglycaemic, and hypolipidaemic activities. These effects may be attributed to their rich phytochemical composition, including lycopene, flavonoids, and phenolic compounds. The study suggests that tomato varieties may serve as potential functional foods or nutraceutical agents for managing obesity-related metabolic disorders.